Freedom Of Speech & Expression Can't Be Curtailed By State But Balance Needs To Be Struck With Public Order & Security: Calcutta High Court

Underlining that fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression and to assemble peacefully cannot be curtailed by the State, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday (12th January) observed, "A balance has to be struck between the rights of the petitioners and public order as well as security, in view of the stipulations in Article 19 (6) of the Constitution of India itself."...

Noise Pollution : Karnataka High Court Directs Action Against Illegal Use Of Loudspeakers At Religious Places

The Karnataka High Court has directed the State Government to issue directions to the police machinery as well as Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to initiate action against those who are using amplifiers and loudspeakers at the places of religion in violation of Noise Pollution rules. A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum issued...

Covid-19: 'Opt For E-Snan', Calcutta High Court Advises Pilgrims Ahead Of Ganga Sagar Mela

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday advised the worshippers visiting to participate in the Ganga Sagar Mela 2021, to opt for 'E-snan', instead of bathing in the river, amid the ongoing pandemic. "The State Administration shall continue to make all endeavours to dissuade the pilgrims for going for a holy dip and opt for E-snan," ordered a Bench of Chief Justice Thottathil B....

'Home-Buyers Facing Hostile Actions From Builders': Allahabad High Court Issues Directions For Expedient Disposal By Development Authorities

The Allahabad High Court recently expressed concern over increasing number of cases being filed by home-buyers, facing hostile and arbitrary actions at the hands of builders, who often violate buyer agreement. A Division Bench of Justices Pankaj Naqvi and Piyush Agrawal observed that home-buyers spend their hard-earned life savings to buy an apartment and instead of resolving...

Madhya Pradesh High Court Issues Directions For Registration Of FIRs In Respect Of Economic Offences

The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently issued directions to the Police authorities in the State, to make sure that the complaints/ first information reports filed in respect of economic offences are disposed of properly. A Single Bench of Justice Vishal Dhagat observed that a Number of petitions are filed before High Court as Police does not take any decision on a complaint made by...

"Akhil Gogoi Led Mob Brushed Aside Noble Concept Of Satyagraha":Gauhati High Court Rejects His Bail Plea

The Gauhati High Court last week rejected the bail plea of peasants' rights activist Akhil Gogoi, in connection with a case registered against him under Sections 120B, 124A, 153B IPC and Sections 18 (Punishment for conspiracy, etc.) and 39 (Offence relating to support given to a terrorist organisation.) of the UA(P) Act. While noting that Court was unable to record its satisfaction...

Cow Dung Dumping At BJP Leader's House Allegedly For Not Supporting Farmers Protest: P&H HC Orders Protection

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday (12th January) directed the Punjab Police to provide adequate security personnel to former Punjab minister and senior BJP leader Tikshan Sud. The Bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi observed that the Constitution of India guarantees to all citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression, to assemble peaceably and without arms and to...

Authorities Need To Be Told That Right To Property Has Close Nexus With Right To Life Under Article 21: Madras High Court

In a significant observation, the Madras High Court last week said that State Authorities need to be told that the Right to Property has close nexus with Right of Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. This observation by Justice N. Seshasayee came in a plea wherein it was alleged that the State failed to take any action regarding the lands of the Petitioners despite...

Approach UNHCR Over 4 Rohingyas Who Have Served Their Sentence But Remain In Jail: Calcutta High Court Asks State Govt. & UOI

The Calcutta High Court last week asked the West Bengal Government & Union of India to take requisite steps to move the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in connection with the case of 4 Rohingyas who have served their sentence but continue to remain in prison. The Bench of Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan & Justice Arijit Banerjee was hearing a...

Karnataka High Court Issues Notice On Students' Plea Against VTU Decision To Hold Offline Exams

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the respondents returnable next week, in a petition filed by students of Visvesvaraya Technological University, challenging the decision of the University to conduct semester examinations in offline mode. A single bench of Justice R Devdas issued the notice while hearing a petition filed on behalf of 120 students, inter alia...

'Remove Hanging Cables & Wires From Chandni Chowk Or Face Contempt': Delhi High Court To MTNL, BSES, North MCD & Ors

Giving an ultimatum to Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Ltd (MTNL), BSES, North Municipal Corporation of Delhi (North MCD) and others to remove hanging cables and wires from Delhi's Chandni Chowk, the Delhi High Court today warned the relevant authorities that it would issue contempt against the organizations if they failed to take any action regarding this soon.A division judge bench of Justice...

GST Authorities' Power Of Arrest Under CGST Act Prima Facie Constitutional : Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has expressed a prima facie view to uphold Sections 69 and 132 of the Central Goods and Service Tax (CGST) Act provision which gives the authorities the power to arrest any person if there exists a "reason to believe" that the person has committed tax evasion.A Division Bench of Justices Manmohan Singh and Sanjeev Narula was hearing a plea preferred by a man and a...